Farooq Abdullah, NC president, won't contest Lok Sabha polls
National Conference president and incumbent Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah, has decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing health reasons. The announcement came from his son and NC vice president, Omar Abdullah, during a party event in Rawalpora, situated on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Omar Abdullah conveyed his father's decision, stating, «He (Farooq Abdullah) has taken permission from (party's general secretary) (Ali Mohammad) Sagar and other party members to not contest the polls this time because of his health.»
Acknowledging his father's decision, Omar Abdullah emphasized the party's commitment to nominate the most suitable candidate for the Srinagar constituency. Expressing optimism, he appealed to the electorate to support the NC candidate, ensuring effective representation of Srinagar's interests in the national capital.
Farooq Abdullah, aged 86, has had a long and distinguished political career. In 2002, he relinquished state politics to focus on national responsibilities, winning a seat in the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir. He later transitioned to the Lok Sabha, securing victory from Srinagar constituency in 2009 after resigning from the Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, he served as a Cabinet Minister of New and Renewable Energy in the United Progressive Alliance government.
Despite facing electoral defeats in the past, Farooq Abdullah made a successful comeback in the 2017 by-election for the Srinagar parliamentary seat. His re-election in 2019 reinforced his
